Madeira Wine Notes June 2014

These are the latest releases from Blandy’s range of Colheitas, a category that is increasing in significance by presenting a dated wine well before the twenty years required to qualify for frasqueira (vintage). The wines come from the 1998 harvest which, I am informed, was was defined by the pruning date. Those whom pruned early experienced a reduction in volume of around 30% compared to those who pruned in late March.